"What the company is is an all-male comedy ballet company. Drag ballet," says Tory Dobrin, the 37-year-old company's longtime artistic director. "It's a dance company. What we do is satirize modern ballet and classical dance works with high-quality performance."

Though still amusing, drag ballet in 2011 no longer is shocking.

"You go on the New York subway and see signs for RuPaul's Drag Race; Hulk Hogan in a tutu," Dobrin says. "Drag is very mainstream now."

The TROCKS were "founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form," according to the company's website.

"The dancers are very good. They're also comedians," says Dobrin, now in his 30th season with the TROCKS.

"We try to offer the public a variety of everything: personalities, music, dance styles, costuming," he says. "The audience will really see a very full evening of fun dance."

The TROCKS perform 120-140 times a year, he says. "The dancers are really comfortable doing this and are really in command of what they're doing. The evening is a lot of fun for everyone.

"People are really interested in going to the theater and getting their money's worth. And their time's worth,'' he says. "That's kind of vulgar though."

After touring the United States, the TROCKS will head to the United Kingdom, Greece, China and Japan. The company has performed in 500 cities, according to Dobrin.

"We get no other funding. We earn our living by doing performances," he says.

Dobrin says the TROCKS remain as relevant today as in 1974. "No one has seen more shows of ballet Trockadero than me. If I can say yes, then the company is doing what's it's supposed to do."

Several reasons why the TROCKS stay fresh, according to Dobrin:

"We change the program. Change the ballets and I change the leading dancers. That's super important. Like Lucille Ball and Gracie Allen, even if they changed the material, it wouldn't be very different. No two dancers in Trockadero, or comedians, are the same."

Dobrin says that "as the company ages, the dancing is getting better, better and better. It allows us to be a little bit more extreme with the comedy. It's a balance thing."

New York—Human Rights First mourns the slaying of the prominent Ugandan human rights leader David Kato, who was severely beaten in his home with a hammer. His body was discovered in his Kampala apartment yesterday afternoon after the attack and he died on the way to the hospital.

"David Kato will be remembered for his dedication to his community and his country Uganda, where he remained a fearless and outspoken voice for the rights of LGBTI persons in the face of threats to his life," said Tad Stahnke, HRF’s Director of Policy and Programs. "We send our deepest condolences to our colleagues in Uganda who are shocked by the killing of their charismatic friend and leader."

"The police must carry out a thorough investigation into this attack, including into the motives behind the actions of the perpetrator. We are concerned by reports that the police may have hastily qualified the attack as aggravated robbery. We call on Ugandan President Museveni to send an unequivocal signal to Ugandans and to the world, condemning and demanding an impartial investigation into the murder, and taking steps to ensure the security of LGBTI activists and individuals," said Paul LeGendre, HRF’s Fighting Discrimination Program Director.

David Kato worked as an advocate and litigation officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). In October 2010, the Rolling Stone, a self-made magazine, included Kato's name in the list of prominent gay rights activists and their contact details, with a banner over the photos calling to “Hang Them.” A notable supporter of this “initiative” was David Bahati, the Ugandan parliamentarian who achieved international notoriety for introducing the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009,” a bill that sought to introduce the death penalty for certain same-sex consensual acts. Commenting on the Rolling Stone article, Mr. Bahati said that the campaign “would have been very helpful to law enforcement of these people; it would have been a great source for law enforcement.”

David Kato was one of three litigants to initiate a court challenge to Rolling Stone and on January 3 of this year, the High Court of Uganda ruled that the newspaper had violated the plaintiff’s constitutional rights to dignity and privacy and issued a permanent injunction.

"We can only hope that David’s murder will serve as a wake-up call to Uganda’s leaders of the dangers of silence and inaction in the face of the deadly homophobic environment that has taken root in Uganda and to which many political and religious leaders – in Uganda and abroad – have contributed." said LeGendre.

Ugandan LGBTI rights activist David Kato was found murdered in his house on 26 January 2011. He had received homophobic death threats and had been pictured and named by Uganda's Rolling Stone magazine in an article that called for gay people to be killed.

British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said:

"My sincere condolences to Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and to the Ugandan LGBTI community concerning the tragic, brutal murder of David Kato.

"I salute David and his immense, brave contribution to LGBTI human rights in Uganda.

"He was an inspiring campaigner of long and great commitment.

"David will live on in our memories. He will also live on through the rights and equalities that LGBTI Ugandans will win eventually thanks to his many years of tireless groundwork and campaigning.

"I express my admiration and appreciation to all the members of SMUG who are battling for LGBTI freedom in conditions of great adversity and danger. Their courage and tenacity is awesome.

"I urge the government of Uganda to withdraw the 'kill the gays' Anti-Homosexuality Bill, decriminalise same-sex relations and legislate protection for LGBTI people against discrimination and hate crimes," said Mr Tatchell.

(Cape Town, January 27, 2010) The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) stands in solidarity with Uganda’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in strongly condemning yesterday’s killing of human rights defender David Kato. IGLHRC joins groups across the world to demand that the Ugandan government immediately denounce David’s murder, thoroughly and impartially investigate this heinous crime and ensure the safety of all LGBT Ugandans.

“We are shocked and saddened by the news of the murder of David Kato,” said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director. “David was an important leader of the Ugandan and East African LGBT movement. While the circumstances of David’s death are not fully clear, I have no doubt that homophobia in its many vicious forms is responsible for his tragic death.”

David Kato died on his way to hospital after being severely beaten in his home on the afternoon of 26 January 2011.

While the perpetrator for this killing is not yet known, his death comes in the wake of threats Kato received and alongside violence and intimidation that LGBT individuals and their supporters have suffered. It highlights the grave safety and security dangers confronting the Ugandan LGBT community and those working in defence of human rights. In the most recent incident of incitement to homophobic violence, the faces, names and addresses of “alleged homosexuals” were published under the headline “Hang Them” by a local tabloid, Rolling Stone (unrelated to the US publication). On 3 January 2011, Kato, whose face was on the tabloid’s cover, and two other plaintiffs won a lawsuit against the publication. The Supreme Court of Uganda found that their privacy had been violated, ordering compensation and an injunction again future similar publication. In recent days, in addition to Kato, the two other plaintiffs in the Rolling Stone case have also been subjected to violence, raising concern that they have been targeted because of this case and remain in grave danger.

IGLHRC calls upon the government of Uganda to publicly condemn Kato's murder, carry out a full and fair investigation into his death, and prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law. Additionally, Ugandan authorities should provide police protection to LGBT human rights defenders who want it, particularly at their homes and offices.

“This tragedy was predictable. We warned the Ugandan government that its inaction would result in tragedy, and this horrific warning has now come true,” said Johnson. “The Ugandan government can be silent no longer. No Ugandan should be at risk of loss of life, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

By MAX DELANY, Associated Press

KAMPALA, Uganda -- A prominent Ugandan gay rights activist whose picture was published by an anti-gay newspaper next to the words "Hang Them" was bludgeoned to death after receiving multiple threats, but police said Thursday they had no leads on the killing.

Activists were outraged over the death of David Kato, an advocacy officer for the gay rights group Sexual Minorities Uganda. His slaying comes after a year of stepped up threats against gays in Uganda, where a controversial bill has proposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts.

Kato was found with serious wounds to his head at his home in Uganda's capital Kampala, late Wednesday, a police spokeswoman said. Kato later died from his injuries on the way to hospital.

"David Kato's death is a tragic loss to the human rights community," said Maria Burnett, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "David had faced the increased threats ... bravely and will be sorely missed."

A Ugandan tabloid newspaper called Rolling Stone listed a number of men they said were homosexuals last year, including Kato. Kato's picture was published on the front page, along with his name and a headline that said "Hang Them."

Kato and two other gay activists sued Rolling Stone over claims that it had violated their constitutional rights to privacy and won the case earlier this month. A judge issued an injunction banning the publication of the identities and personal details of alleged homosexuals.

Kato's lawyer told The Associated Press on Thursday that his client had become noticeably more worried about his safety in the wake of the Rolling Stone publication.

"He was conscious that something could happen," said John Francis Onyango.

Family, friends and neighbors gathered to mourn at Kato's house on Thursday. Several women lay on the floor of the living room. The room where he had been killed was closed off by the police. A funeral is planned for Friday.

"I feel very lonely," said John Mulumba Wasswa, Kato's older twin brother. "My brother was a very brave person, very courageous."

Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and gay men and women face regular harassment. The controversial bill introduced in 2009 and still before the country's parliament would see the death penalty introduced for certain homosexual acts. The bill prompted international condemnation and hasn't come up for a vote.

A police spokeswoman, Judith Nabakooba, said officials could not immediately confirm whether Kato's death was because of his sexual orientation or whether it was "just an ordinary crime. Investigations were under way and no arrests had yet been made, she said.

Human Rights Watch called for an urgent investigation into Kato's murder, saying Thursday that his work as a prominent gay rights campaigner had previously seen him face threats to his personal safety. The organization called on the Ugandan government to offer gay people in the country sufficient protection.

In a statement, the group said that witnesses had told police that Kato was hit twice on the head by an unknown assailant who had been spotted entering his property. The assailant was then seen leaving by vehicle, the statement said.

Frank Mugisha, the chairman of Sexual Minorities Uganda, said he has asked religious and political leaders and media outlets to stop demonizing sexual minorities in Uganda.

"Across the entire country, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex Ugandans mourn the loss of David, a dear friend, colleague, teacher, family member and human rights defender," said Mugisha.

The introduction of the anti-homosexual bill in 2009 followed a conference in Kampala that was attended by American activists who consider same-gender relationships sinful. The U.S. evangelicals believe gays and lesbians can become heterosexual through prayer and counseling. Some gay Ugandans still resent that American intervention.

"David's death is a result of the hatred planted in Uganda by U.S evangelicals in 2009," said Val Kalende, a Ugandan gay rights activist. "The Ugandan government and the so-called U.S evangelicals must take responsibility for David's blood."

Michael Tilson Thomas conducted the New World Symphony at Wednesday's inaugural concert at the new New World Center in Miami Beach. The program: Overture to The Flying Dutchman (Richard Wagner, 1843); Polaris: Voyage for Orchestra (Thomas Adès, 2011 world premiere with film by Tal Rosner); Symphony No. 3 (Aaron Copland, 1946).

By TRAVIS LOLLER, Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A university that came under fire from students for the departure of a lesbian women's soccer coach has added sexual orientation to its non-discrimination policy, but it was not clear whether it covered sexually active gays.

President Bob Fisher announced the policy approved by trustees, but wouldn't answer questions Wednesday regarding ex-soccer coach Lisa Howe. The private university has said her departure on Dec. 2 was a mutual decision. But students and players protested, saying Howe was let go because she told them she was having a child with her same-sex partner.

Belmont is a Christian university that had been affiliated with the Southern Baptists until it broke away in 2007. It is known nationally for its music business school and is widely regarded as progressive, so the accusation surprised some in the Belmont community.

At the time of Howe's departure, Fisher said that the university does not consider sexual orientation in admissions or hiring decisions. On Wednesday, he said the policy change simply affirms the practices already in place.

Asked whether his statements could be taken to mean that Howe was not pressured to leave because she came out to students, Fisher said he could not talk about any specific cases.

"This is a great victory for the values of inclusion, human dignity and respect," Howe said in a statement. "I am grateful to the Belmont board for recognizing that being gay and being Christian are not mutually exclusive. This is a landmark day."

Several reporters wanted to know whether Belmont was making a distinction between sexual orientation and sexual practice.

Belmont's student code of conduct lists sex outside of marriage as "sexual misconduct." Since gays and lesbians cannot marry in Tennessee, there is no way for them to be sexually active without violating the code.

Fisher would not say whether the new policy meant whether openly gay people could work at Belmont.

"I would put that in the category of a hypothetical," he said.

Fisher was less equivocal when asked whether homosexual practice, and not just orientation, has affected any hiring or firing decisions at Belmont.

"It has not, in my experience," he said.

The university heard criticism from students and donors after the Howe's departure. That included a statement from trustee emeritus Mike Curb, a music industry executive and major donor who called on the school to rehire Howe and "act like Christians."

Some also criticized the school for not allowing Bridge Builders, a group with a mission to support gay students and explore the intersection of Christianity and homosexuality, to form as an official student group.

Asked about the group at the news conference, Fisher said they were resubmitting their application.

WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, lauded President Obama’s appointment of Roberta Achtenberg to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Achtenberg was the first openly gay or lesbian person to be confirmed to a government position by the Senate.

“Roberta Achtenberg is a public servant of the highest caliber and will be a critical voice on the commission in ensuring that the civil rights of all Americans are protected,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “LGBT equality is the civil rights issue of our time and this position will allow her to bring our community’s concerns front and center in the national dialogue.”

President Clinton appointed Achtenberg to be Assistant Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1993. Prior to that she was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and had an illustrious career as a civil rights attorney. She is also a co-founder of the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

“President Obama has made a wonderful selection in Roberta Achtenberg,” added Solmonese. “A true advocate of fairness and equality for all people, this new position will allow her to use her talents in furtherance of our country’s highest aspirations.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.